The Tipping Thread :: How Much And Why?

[10068]

Had it recommended like five times, never seen it yet

loved Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill.

From Dusk Till Dawn... eh. way too cheesy.

So which guy int hat group do you two tend to agree with?

 

[MetalManCPA]

I'm generally in the 15%-20% range, leaning to the high end.

I've gone below 15% on occassion, but only when the server acts like an idiot or has a bad attitude. I don't blame or short tip the server if the food is cooked bad, for it's not the servers fault.

 

[chia-pet]

i tip whatever is appropriate in my various circumstances. at nicer restaurants, upwards to $10. usually i give them over 20%, which would make my day if i was the server. afterall, what's a couple bucks when you could be the difference between a good and bad day?

 

[BlindTiger]

Where's our friends from outside north america?
Oh, I knew someone would post "mr. white".
Still want to hear other points of view. Should we pay our food service people what you pay them? $9/hr? or would you want our tip system?
Re: reservior dogs, wasn't that a remake of a Chinese movie? (undercover cop infiltrates a crime gang)

 

[Nisbeth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlindTiger Should we pay our food service people what you pay them? $9/hr?

Noone over the age of 18 works for $9/hr here. Minimum wage is $13-14 here but the taxes are a bit different as well

EDIT: I'm sure the employees would be thrilled at such an increase in wages, but the price hike might not be as well-received by the average American restaurant-goer

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlindTiger or would you want our tip system?

No. I think it makes prices less transparent and it also undermines the whole idea of tipping someone out of appreciation for their efforts. I'm reluctant to tip anyone who expects a tip

/U.

 

[PeterR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlindTiger Where's our friends from outside north america? Oh, I knew someone would post "mr. white". Still want to hear other points of view. Should we pay our food service people what you pay them? $9/hr? or would you want our tip system? Re: reservior dogs, wasn't that a remake of a Chinese movie? (undercover cop infiltrates a crime gang)

We (Germans) do tip. Waiters are better paid and not that dependant on tips, so you won't get yelled at if you don't tip, but it's still absolutely normal to. About 10-15% would be usual in a Restaurant.

 

[Stephonovich]

How 'bout coffee shops/delis? I was just thinking, they're kind of in a class of their own. After all, most of the time (at least, here in Asheville) you bus your own tables, carry your own food, get your own refills, and so on. But the coffee and/or food is excellent, the service is usually oustanding, and the atmosphere is great. One local shop in particular, Bean Streets, always gets heavily tipped by me. $2-5 usually, depending on what I ordered. (note also that $2-5 can be the cost of the entire snack often times) They have a tip jar on the counter, since, as I mentioned, you bus your own tables. I love the place; the employees are great, and they'll bend over backwards to do special requests for you. Last Christmas, I was in there buying a pound of beans as a gift, and I ended up waiting about 15 minutes since they couldn't find their normal bags. Eventually they got me a paper bag and taped it up really tight. However, when I hefted the bag, I discovered they'd given me a good 3 pounds or so. Stuff like that makes customers happy.

 

[TWIFOSP]

What about people in upscale clothing stores?

I've only shopped at them a few times, when I need to pick up some nicer clothes.

I'm talking about the ones where you have at least on person helping you the entire time, if not more. They hold your selections for you, give you advice, prepare the dressing room, ect.

I never thought to tip them before because everytime I shop like that I completly forget that it's an extra service being provided. I do appreciate the service, sometimes it's overbearing, but I do like it when the females pick out and match things for me. Those outfits typically end up being the best, so it's a valued service.

When you drop several hundred dollars in a place like that, do you guys tip the staff that helped you?

 

[Born2bwire]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWIFOSP What about people in upscale clothing stores? I've only shopped at them a few times, when I need to pick up some nicer clothes. I'm talking about the ones where you have at least on person helping you the entire time, if not more. They hold your selections for you, give you advice, prepare the dressing room, ect. I never thought to tip them before because everytime I shop like that I completly forget that it's an extra service being provided. I do appreciate the service, sometimes it's overbearing, but I do like it when the females pick out and match things for me. Those outfits typically end up being the best, so it's a valued service. When you drop several hundred dollars in a place like that, do you guys tip the staff that helped you?

I would think that in that situation, the employees are working on commission so there would be no reason to tip them.

 

[Thrasher]

I come from Slovakia and it is not a custom to give tips there. I would only give a little tip if the bill was for example $11.92, I would pay $12. Other than that I am really surprised by this thread, that it is considered a must to tip and the usual sum is 15%. I don't eat out, because the food in restaurants is too expensive for me in the first place, so giving an extra 15% on top of that makes this even less affordable for me.

I used to work in a restaurant here in Canada. I was in the kitchen and the tips were split up for the waiter and the staff in the kitchen. We used to get as much as 25% on top of our basic wages in tips, which was a pleasant surprise for me, so I guess people tip a lot. But I agree, working in a restaurant for minimum wages can get pretty annoying, so the people working there definitely deserve the tips (considering that they actually get it, I mean the people in the kitchen, not just the waiter).

So definitely there is a big difference in tipping in North America compared to Central Europe.

EDIT: I just remembered this funny story from Slovakia from a couple of years back. I was in a restaurant/diner with my friend and he ordered a beer. The price was SKK 20, but he gave the waitress SKK 50 and told her to keep the change. She gave him this very scary look ("the look of death"), probably not knowing what was going on, and without thanking or anything just walked away with the money.

That was hilarious.